AlainK

I'm one of these crazy people who decided one day to try Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia ) as bonsai.

I had bought a 20cm tree in 1995 and had begun to style it for a couple of years. The first results were rather encouraging, but I had a pb with lower banches die-back.

So I gave it up and planted it in a large pot for some years until I decided to have a new start with it : I drastically chopped it off and planted it in a grow box.

Still not satisfying, but I'm learning, and hoping for the best...

1 : April 2005
2 : May 2005
3 : October 2006
4 : March 2008 (before pruning)
5 : March 2008 (aaaaargh!)

Attached Images

	sequoia01_050403a.jpg (79.9 KB, 57 views)
	sequoia01_050509.jpg (90.8 KB, 49 views)
	sequoia01_061031.jpg (33.6 KB, 51 views)
	sequoia01_080327a.jpg (48.5 KB, 50 views)
	sequoia01_080327c.jpg (31.7 KB, 80 views)

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Alain K.
http://www.rdb45.fr
http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

AlainK

And this is the virtual I made in April 2005 : hopefully, the foliage will thicken, the photos show that in 2 years' time it does grow a lot...

Of course, the trunk lacks a bit of conicity, the shari at the top needs to be worked and carried further down, the nebari is not so good, but not everyone has a mini giant tree at home

Attached Images

sequoia01_050403_v1.jpg (75.9 KB, 34 views)

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Alain K.
http://www.rdb45.fr
http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

Mattbonsai

Were not crazy, just special!

I don't think I have the guts to cut mine as much as you did in the second pic! and I like heavy cutting!

The last pic has a pleasing look to it, and It will look brilliant when the foliage thickens.

Did you find that with yours it back budded very well?
As I may be relying on some back-budding with it looking like my lower branches may be browning off! Damn Sequoiadendrons! ya hate them, but you've gotta love them aswel!

-Matt-

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AlainK

Not 'that' well actually: new buds appeared above the small branches that were left on the photo of May 2005, but none below. But plenty of new buds in the upper part.

I couldn't agree more!

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Alain K.
http://www.rdb45.fr
http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

JTGJr25

I think the nebari looks fine. You might want to plant it lower in the pot and see if that helps. If you haven't already check out Craig Cousin's "Bonsai School" There is a nice example of one in there. Good luck with it you have a nice start.

Tom

Prowler

Alain
I like your #5 pic, but surely it aint in full bloom? yet, so maybe you wont need that virt. yet.
I have one, that i got from a member a few year back, but, it aint done a damn thing.
It sits in a small pot, frozen solid, but this year out it comes, i will dig out a small area for it and put wire around it for the rabbits.
Aint to sure if they grow fast or not? as seedlings. Keep in touch with it.

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AlainK

I don't have Craig Cousin's book, and I'm not sure i can find it where I live, but there was a picture of a stiking sequoia in one of the first books I bought, Harrry Tomlinson's Complete Book of Bonsai.

Another very good example is the one on the ABBA site :
http://www.bonsaiartists.co.uk/ribb....ree=2003110032

I'm still miles behind them, but that won't deter me from trying

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Alain K.
http://www.rdb45.fr
http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

Phil

There are very few that I've seen that did much for me. They are almost like Dawn Redwoods. As a matter of fact I have had several and have one growing in my small tree garden right now (I hope!) [Dawn redwood that is] Not really all that much one can do as for styling except clip and grow. The only exception I've seen where they seem do well as for looks is in a forest planting but.....that of course is just my opinion. Even the one you gave a link to left me somewhat cold unless I was looking at the wrong picture. However, any tree is a challenge and fun to have a go at if it interests you. Best of luck with it and by all means keep us updated as to it's progress.

~Phil

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Michel

Hi,

This is just my personal opinion,
and I know I'm sticking my neck out for a lot of flak here,
but . . .

I love pics 3 & 4, showing what could have been;
the outline of Your tree WAS there, it just needed
some thinning out of surplus branches and then grooming
and some tlc to have foliage compact and thicken over the years.

And then . . . came about pic 5 . . .
Why oh why the dead apex ? ? ? I truly believe that there was
absolutely no need for that, and Your tree would have been
so much nicer and much more appealing with a live apex,
and - if wanted - a few small deadwood accents here and there.

One should allways keep in mind that in general,
a live apex on a bonsai is much more preferred (and valued !!!)
over a dead one . . .

But as said, this is just my OWN opinion here,
and it IS Your tree . . .

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Greetz,
Michel

Prowler

Michel
I purchased my flack jacket from an ex-army store.
But the deed is done on #5 and that is the end of that.
I believe they are pretty fast growing? so all is not lost. As you well know they can surprise you at times. Cheers.

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